The Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile first came on board in 2007, the first year the Breeders’ Cup expanded to a two-day event.

While the race is named Dirt Mile, last year’s running of the race at Churchill Downs was actually the first time it has been run at one mile over a dirt surface.

At Monmouth Park in 2007 it was run over a sloppy main track at 1 mile and 70 yards because of the configuration of the racetrack.

In 2008 and 2008 the race as run over the synthetic surface at Santa Anita.

Kent Desormeaux piloted Corinthian through the slop at Monmouth Park to take the first running of the race, drawing clear to win by 6 ½ lengths, returning his backers at the betting windows $9.40 for each $2 wagered.

Gotcha Gold got home second at 7/1, completing a $60.20 exacta, with the betting favorite Discreet Cat checking in third, the $2 trifecta paying $215.40.

The 2008 Dirt Mile moved to the all-weather synthetic surface at Santa Anita, with Albertus Maximus getting the job done, paying $14.60 with Garrett Gomez in the irons.

While 6/5 betting favorite Well Armed not a factor, 18/1 Rebellion and 22/1 Two Step Salsa completed a $2 trifecta that brought back $3,272.00.

We were back at Santa Anita in 2009, with Furthest Land pulling off the upset, paying $44.60.

Ready’s Echo made a good late run to grab the runner up spot at 24/1, the $2 exacta paying $658.20.

After being ungraded during its first two runnings, the Dirt Mile became a Grade 1 race in 2009.

2010 Recap: The toteboard lit up again in last year’s running of the Dirt Mile, with Dakota Phone, who rallied from last to first at 37/1, pulling off the shocker with Joel Rosario aboard for the ride.

The gelding returned $77.40 for the victory, with 6/1 Morning Line landing in the runner up spot, completing an $816.20 exacta.

With 9/2 Gayego checking in third and Cool Coal Man fourth at 33/1, the $1 superfecta returned a hefty $36,883.80.

2010 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Video:

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Winners: